Smokehouse



July 27, 1943.a N. J. ALLBRIGHT SMOKEHOUSE VF'ilet'l Jan. 30. 1941 -6 Sheets-Sheet l July-27, 1943.

Nl J. ALLBRIG HT SMOKEHOUSE Filed Jan. 30, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 July 27, 1943.

N. J. ALLBRIGHT slvlorc'raI-xousf.`

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freue/far July 27, 1943. N..J. ALLBRIGHT SMOKEHOUSE' Filed Jan. 30, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 27, 1943. N. J. ALLBRIGH-r `sMoxEHoUsE Filed Jan. 30, 1941 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented July 27, 1943 unirsi), STATES PATE ysMoKEHoUsE Norman J.`Allbr'ght, Hinsdale, Ill., assignor to :The Allbright-Nell Co., Chicago, Ill., a corpov ration of Illinois Application January 30, 1941,'seriainajs'zesji y1o claims. (c1. en -261) The present invention relates lgenerally to smokehouses for'conditioning and smoking hams, bacon, sausage, sh, poultry, and like products. More particularly the invention relates4 to that type oismokehouse and as its nainor principal parts comprisesf-(l) a building-formed smoke chamber having means for generating or pro'- ducing smoke therein); (2') anfendless conveyor which isdisposed in the smoke chamber and embodies `a pair of similarlaterally spaced endless chains Atogether with'crossbarsfbetween the chains 'for supporting the meat products to be conditioned and smoked', Varidwalso embodies a plurality of drive sprocketwheels, idler sprocket wheels and take-up sprocket wheels for vsupporting the chains in such manner that the conveyor has a plurality of parallel reaches; and A(3) power` mechanism which serves'slowly and continuously to drive the conveyor during operation of the smokehouse and is in the form of an electric motor and gearing between the motor and `the drive sprocket wheels.

In the operation or use of a smokehouse of this type the chains oithe'endless conveyor sometimes break or run off the sprocket wheels.

This generally occurs when any one ,of the meat products on the crossbars falls between oneof the chains and a sprocket wheel. `Should one or both of the chains breaker run olf the sprocket wheels'the conveyor as a general rule drops to bottom of theV smoke chamber. In such instance the meat products are generally damaged to such an extent that they77V are `not edible or usable. f

The primary object ofv the'present yinvention` is to provide a smokehouse having means Whereas well as the operating-parts of the smokehouse is effectively avoided'.

Another object; of Vthev invention is to provide a smokehouse of the type and characterunder consideration4 in which the automatic control means for stopping or rendering inoperative the i conveyor driving mechanism comprises a pair of normally closed switches in the electrical circuit for the motor ofthe conveyor drivingmechanism and also comprises a pair of bars which are assogeneral character' Other objects oi the invention and thevarious advantages vandcharacteristics of the present smokehouse'will be' apparent from a considera- Iditioned [and smoked V between e 'elated with the hangend switches.' respectively; andare adapted vin theevent of displacement .of

the take-up sprocket wheels due` to wedging" of meat'productsbetween them andthe chains or breaking ordislodgement of the chains, fto' be.

moved in suchmanner as toopen` the switches and thus, interrupt the `flow ofcurrent to 'the motr-,...

A furtherv object ofv the invention is toprovide a sinokeh'use 4which is generally an'fimproveL ment upon',v "and hasA certain g ladvantages over, previously de'signed smokehouses yofA the same tionof Vthe following detailed description.

The invention consists inthe several novel features whicharehereinafter set forth vandare more particularlyjdened by claims atthe conclusion hereof. Y

In thev drawings which accompanyl and' form a partof this specification or disclosure 'and i in which like letters and numerals of reference' denote corresponding `parts throughoutthe' severalviews:l e

Figure 1 isa vertical s Y l y l lection'of azsmokehouse embodying one formy 'of the invention;

. Fig'uije 2 is .'an'l'enlarg'ed horizontal''sectionl taken on the lille-Z-k-ZOflgllle l and illustratiingin` detail the construction and arrangement oi `thepower mechanisml for driving the endless Coveyor; v

Figure 3 is an enlargdf'vertioal sctio'nltaken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2 andshowing the construction of'a portionor part of the 'gearing between the electricmotor and the `drive sprocket Wheels; 'j v Figure is` an enlargedvertical longitudinal vsectionof Vthe lower portion'o'f theendless conveyor illustrating infdetailthe arrangement of certain of the' idler and take-up sprocket'wheels';

Figuren" isa horizontal section taken on the i Figure `6 is an enlarged vertical section taken onthe' "line'vJ-QSofFigure 5 and'sh'owng the l ofthe automatic control means yfor the'conveyor'driving mecha-A f nisni are shifted into theiropen positionsin theV manner. in ywhich the' switches event fof 'breakageQoff the: conveyor chains 4or wedging or jamminguof the products'to be con- 4 I the' chains and takelup'lsprocketWheels; f

`Figure? is, an"enlargedV section taken on the line "Iflll of FigureV 5 illustrating. the construction, design and arrangement of the means for shifting the bars of the automatic control means into their switch opening position in the `eventof displacement of the take-up sprocket Wheels; l

Figure 8 is a section. on the line 8 8 of Figure 7;

vFigure 9 is a sectionoi one of the switches of the controlrnearis; .:1' 1 i Figure 10 is a fragmentary vertical section means, and

Figurell is an enlarged section on thefine' lF-H of Figure 10- The smokehouse which isshown 'ini-guresr 1 to 9, inclusive, constitutes one form or embodiment of the invention. It is, vlerlpressly. designed for use in conditioning and smoking l'iais, bacon,

CII

Uli) illustrating a different form of switch controlling'` 1. 1:..

l. ,jouinall ing zchaiel :beam 251L which is disposed outwards .amper end of the smoke chamber I. The drive sp'rooket wheels lla, lila and ige are also disor positioned in horizontal alignment.

'they areprovided with stub axles and these are imbearings on a horizontally extend- ,o f the chain 11.5? .and is carried by certain of the 'wallsbso that 'it'i's" in'l'aterally spaced relation sausage, fish, poultry, and other meat produdts'- andmmnriaes a smgkehamber l0, an endless Tf'le sin 'ke chamber'jlt"is'vrtically elongated rated in Figure 1 'as zforming' Va part gr4 plant building; i3. It houses Athe endless 'conveyor Il'an'd Ai's'foriiiedor defined go plurality of vertically extending walls b; The

ke. Chamber Qcnttutes a orfpioducingcompartment I4.

desired* 'conditioning or smoking of the meat Pducts within the. bamber- As'an alternativ@ `Smoke"may' be produced 'rithe outside of the compartment l and, delivered into the' smoke Chamber. bra ian. Or ,bloweryTh tjr? -Of th mdk@ chamber .In isyusd by .a nopwau 'b1 and this l'ias'ua valve controlld exhaust "stack bzfor iimttine' in .a Iltr'olled manner the' exhaust of 4more fromme chamber: Access is naa to the. Smoke @h ambfrby A.Wav vQf .a ,doorway 'b3 ih onof tho ivano-oor the buildings; This doorway is normally closed byfa 'door 'b as shown in Figure 1. jWhnthe'iiocr is' in itsopen position tl riijeat product'sto be processed ,or treatedmay be placed on` the conveyor-arid .the products after processing orr 'sinoke'treating may be .removed from .thesmoke vchalutier 10,; v l j Tlieendle'ss conveyor il is 'adapted to ,carry the meat products durig. processing .or smoke treatment 4thereof in the 4sIri'oke chamberv Illand comprises a pairof 'similar laterally spaced end,- less chains `EES and I Snand a plurality orseries ofcrossbars i6 .betwee the chains. In addition the 'conveyor @emprise pair ofopposodiyii'of op okotwneeis Mondiale, f

ess'ed are supported-Humane. crosfsb'ars I6' by way ,with :beam 26.; The take-up sprocket wheel 22 is disposed in the `bottom portion of the smoke ohamoergl-o-andjsj yartioaii'y `angnoc with the drive s procketwheelrl'. Itembodies a stub axle andvv is mounted 'for' v' 'vertical" sliding movement b y' way of' a'bearing b1 Ik' 28 Vand 'a pair'of opi posed vertically extending'laterally spaced channel 'beams 29..""Ifhe lower ends of the'beanis 29 ar'ewelded `cfr-jtheriiflise liiiedly secured to the web of :a horizontally extending channel beam 3S and the ,upperendsof such bearrisaresecured to; theweb ci 'a horizontally extending channel beam "3!1B lie'j'beariiig block" 28 is sldably inounted'b'ettveenthe vertically extending beams 29 vwith `the result that -`the "takemp sprocket wlieel 22 is yfree inpve vertically. The beam 3Q is disposed atslight'distancle above the lower ends'ci Jthe bea'ni 2 9; v 'It iscarried .by certain of th'ewalls b andislocated outward's'cf the chain 115,' The horizontally-'extending beam 3i is disposedgab'ove`,andvertically aligned with the beam ilqa'ndiis carriedbyfthe 'saine walls as the latter. The take-iupspro'cketwheel 22a is positioned in oppesedrelation Withlthe sprocket wheel 22 and is pv l`i'ded"v`vii h a 'centralstubaxle The latter isljournalled in"4 aibeafrllg block 23a which is mounted for' vertically sliding movement between apajiro vertically extending laterally'spaced onannjoi boa'msza 'fno latter are disposed in parallel Vrelation 'with the vb'earris 29 and have their lower endsconnected to ahorizontally exten' 'eg' channel beam ma 'and their upper ends scuiedf to a l `i ')ri`z o`ntally extending channel beainv-Sj, '-'lhebeariisl jand 3l a `are positioned opposite' to; and 'in' parallel relation with, .the beams 30 and' 3l, res pectively,l They are suitably arri-edby "certain olf thevvfalls' b and are located outwards Yofthe chain Z1515. Ihe take-upsprocketv whee'l23' is `dispgsfed been'ath fand between the drive sprocket' wheels I Tjar'id IB and `is .provided 'with-afstnb axle-[which is jlourna'jlled in a `bearing block/#Zidi i The latter ,'isfrnounted for vertical sliding movement between' `jajpair of vertically exten laterally-spaced channel beams 33, the lewe? Edd?, "QLWUCITQHJXEQQI'1t@ .the beam U and the upperjevnds of w ch .are 'fixed or securedto tnofooam si. The raro-op lsprocket wheel 2aEl is disposed vin 'oppcse'd'relatin with .the sprocket wheel and islocatedin th'elsame vertical yplane asxthjeigrive 'sr'rdQretv/.hels 11a; 'www fief.

mounted orverticalsjlidingzmovernentyby way of dekt?? 'which serves `as a jcurnalgfor of 'the takeaup-sprocket wheelgz 3a Iited .betweena o ver- 13,111?- paff :Gilet-H161 .b.a1s horizontally aligned and in maar parallel relationmwith the vertically extending channel beams33 'and have the lower ends thereof xed to .the horizontally extending channel beam 39a and theirfupper ends secured to vthe horizontally extending channel beam 31a.' The take-up sprocket wheel 24 is horizontallyaligned with the sprocket wheel 23 andis disposed be-v neath and between'the drive sprocketwheels I8 and I9. It embodies av centrally disposed .stubl axle and is mounted for vertical sliding moveor secured to the channel beam 3S.. The take-up sprocket wheel k24@ is disposed directly opposite the take-up sprocket wheel 24 and is positioned eneath andb etween'the drivesprocket wheels {8-and I9?. It embodies alstub axle andY is mounted vfor verticalsliding movement byway of a.` bearing block 34a-Which is slidable vertically between a pairV oi vertically extending laterally spaced. channel beams 35%. The latter are hori Azomially aligned with thechannel beams 33a.y and 4have the lower Iends thereof secured to the channel,beama andtheupper ends secured to the channel beam Sla". y" fhevidler sprocket wheels 2 6 Sand 26e are located at` the bottom ofthe smoke charzi'cer.l lil and are disposed-beneath and `vertically aligned with the drive sprocket wheels ES and 53a, respectively. They have individualor separate stub axles and are carried by bearings on the channel beams 30 and 38a.` The idler sprocket wheels 2l and'ZIa arelocated adjacent the take-up sprocket wheels 23 and 232, respectively. a They are `disposed betweenthe idler sprocket wheels 23 and 26a and the take-upv sprocket wheels 22 and 22a and have stub axles which are journalled in bearings on the central portions of the beams 30 and 30a. The chain l5 of-the endless conveyor I I istrained around the sprocket wheels i1, i8, I9, 2li, 2|, 22, 23 and 24 `in such manner that it extends around and then upwards from the take-up sprocket `wheel-22,

then around the drive sprocket wheel Il; then. v

downwards and around the take-up sprocket wheel 23, then upwards and around the drive `sprocket wheel I8, then downwards and around the take-up sprocket wheel 24, then upwards and around the drive sprocket wheel I9, then downwards kand around the idler sprocketwheel2l and then over and around the idler sprocket wheel2l. The other chain of the conveyor, that is, vchain l5EL 1s similarly trained around lthe sprocket wheels llflla, 19a, v,2lla',=2la, 22e, 2311 and 2da. The bearing blocks 28, 32 and 34 which .are associated respectively with thetake-up sprocket wheels 22, 23 and 24 are providedwith upwardly, extending rods 36, as shown in Figure l, and, these rods project above the horizontally extending channel beam 3land have external screw threads. The bearing-blocks 32=pand 34 have depending rods 3l in addition to the upwardly extending rods 36. The sprocket wheels 22, 23 and 24 are weighted irl-order to maintainH the chain l5l of the endless conveyor taut at all times by. way of weights 38. The weights for the `take-up sprocket wheel 22-are mounted ,for

verticalv sliding`- movement between the lateral channel beamsn25 and are mounted ontherod v 3&5v which extend upwardly from the bearing a uresZ andS).

reducing units shaft 42 and the stub axles forthefdiVeSplQcket pro-v shaft i2 and is connected by type speed reducing unit Meierl drive by fther ing rods 36?.

" 39 vis jdisposed Aexteriorly of teriorly of 'the' smoke parallel relation with the notched crossbarsl I6 of the endless conveyor Il andisfdriven 'from the armature shaft' of the electric motor 3d` lvway of a belt and pulley connection '43. The driven lshaft 42' extends at right!anglesfto the 3 blockf28. VThe weights forithe take-up sprocket wheel 23`are verticallyslidable between the channelbeams 33 and aremounted on 'the rod 3'l`whi`ch dependsv from the bearing Yblock 32;

The weights for 'the vtake-upf sprocket wheels 24- are vertically slidable between the vertically spaced channel'beams 35 "and are` mounted on the rod 31 which depends from the bearing block 34;,.The bearing blocks 285,' 32a-and` :allEL which are associatedl respectively-,with 'the take-'up sprocket wheels 22%, 23aandf-24'a'are provided l with vertically extending rodsr 35?. These rods correspond tol 'and are positioned in 'opposed 'relation with the rods v36 and have tiret-upper ends thereof externally threaded and projecting above the horizontally 'extending channel' 'beamf Sla, The bearing blocks 32el and 34a'e'rnbody dependingrods 3lad in addition to the upwardly 'extend thus'se'rve lto maintain in a taut 'condition-I the chain 15B of .they endless 'conveyor lli The weights Y38aforurging downwards 'the take-up sprocket wheel 22a 'are slidable verticallybetween the laterally spaced channelbeams 29e vvandare mountedon the rod 36a1which extendsl upwards from the bearing block 28a; The" weights gfor rging do'wnwardsthe take-up sprocket wheel 2311 are'vertically slidableV between the `laterally spaced channel beams v 33.a and are mounted 'on the j`rod3la, Whichdepends, fromfthefbe'aring l The weightsv for urging downwards block 32a. the take-up sprocket' wm-:e124av are. vertically slidable between .the channel beams 35a andare bearing blocken.' .The power mechanism mounted on the rod- 31a whichde'pendsirom the l by arrows "idlligu re`1.' [It is subjectto the actionfof 'the automatic control means I3 andconsists of an" electric motor 39 andgearing `betweenl lthe motor 4and the drivesprocket ywheels in theupper` portion of the smoke chamber l0.

the smoke chamber and is supported by way of one of thef wa,llsy b ing of the power mechanism l2'compris`es a horizontally. extending 'drive shaft Hand apair of parallel laterally spaced driven shafts l2 and 42e.

motor 39, is disposed ex- The shaft 4l, like the chamber. Itfextendsv f in drive shaft vlll and projects into the smoke'ch'amber lll. Itis located beneathand. t von'esideof the horizontallye'xtending channelvbeam 26 and is driven from the driveshaft 4l by way. of a `worm gear type speed reducing unit M (seelfig` Worm and worm gearv type speed 45 are Y disposed `between thedrive wheelsll, l8andl9. The'drivenshaft 42e jects into the smoke chamberlll and .isf disposed ,beneath and to one side `of the. beam 2$a'.,.;1t is disposed inthe :same horizontalfplane as'hthe Way f' awfm gear drive shaft 4l. Worm andworm'lgeartype speed reducingl units 45a serve tov connect 'the vst ulo axles of the drive sprocket wheelsVv lla, |84. and 19a for drivafrom the driven Shaft Ik42%?!` yWeights 38a urge i the i'takefupsprocket'wheelslze, '23a and "24a downwards'and `lil-operates todrivethe l endless .conveyor Il as shown The.. electric, motor a frameworkAll on of Ythe 4building B.'V Ihefgearf,

f "'he units' 44 and 44a are the same in size and the wntrol l with a control lever '5 L 4j indue are-likewise the same inl-sl1e with the ,result that when-the current is supplied to the electric motos the drive sprocket wheels are glldrirven at the speed` and operate slowls and mllmieuly l `,lllfe the @NESS C0- veyoxj, ll. Current i; supplied to the 4electric motor atby wey of; s wir 9i liriendutr's 45 and 4ta The conductor@ is provided with a main manually manipulahlcjcontrcl switch "4.1. Linden normal r @Gratins @editions when' this switch is closcdcurrent is supplied to the elecf tno meer 3a andthe latter; @passies through the mediumbf the Seer'lnsbetwe'eu viluia'm the drive sprocket wheels to drive the? endless conf .Yssel llchereinafter described; eutematisally te. Stop the electric. meterr 39 et .the Power.' meshanismf l2 in ,.'heev-ent that the take-up .sprocket wheels are displaced vertically as a result of :the chains ofy them or Dreams el' eey Of the food products being smolsedV dropping between ythem and the chains. 1t comprises a pair of swltelzlesl4Bl and 48E-*inthe conductorl and. a .pair of slide oars 65 andi-19s The switch 48 and slide bar 49 are associated, with the chain liofthe endless conveyor coast toopen' the motor circuit, that is,` 'breakV the conductor 4S inthe event of vertical displacenu,nt of any of the take-up sprocket wheelsfzz, :sono 24. The .Y

switch 48e and' the slidebar 49a "are associated conveyor andfcoact automatically to break the motorycircvuit. in thefevent of vertical displace? `'meriti orfslidingffmovemerlt 'of anyone of the take-'upv sprocket wheels for` the chain |53. ,'lilhe switch 48, is exteriorly disposedy with respectto the `'smoke chamber llland iSlocated shove,y and outwardlyofione yendfcjf, the horizontally extending channel' beam 3l. .It is disposed ina cover-equipped housing Sao-n one of walls 1250i the'lb'uldrisBandpis provided n The latter normally extends. vertically; as 'ShQWIiin.' Figure 9, and is adapted when it is in itsllnormal ,position no maintain, the switch, Q3 .iuitslclosed position. '131e lower end` of the" control levier,` 5I ls nx'edto 'a rock shaft rzzandxfhevpper eind` of the, lever lsprovided with a, roller 53'," The rock' shaft permits the lever to Q hefswung laterally, Vout' ofv its means. Serves and enemies es l with the other chain, that'is, the chainl of the normal position end isj so arrangedudth respect 'to theswitch 48' that'when the: 'levenf is swung laterally: 'out of its' normal jpc-sinon. opening' of the" switch' I8' is effected;Y The lever "is releasabl'y held in its' normalposition by wayjo a vertically movable plateit k'l'l'rej latter hasa; central r'e-l cessv 55 for acoornrncnlati'ng."thel roller1n53jand is urged downwards by way 0I cornpressonv` springs 1E. the lever A5l ,is in lits normal position the roller sa nos within ine'recess sa @gs-shown rn Figure' A place-.3 When horizontal' force is exerted'against -tlxeflever the roller snaps'out oith'e" recess 5 5 and the Vlevenfrl swings laterally, as shown loy vdotted 'linesrin' Figure Siinto a position' wherein bar* #texten-ds, parallelto; andpverlTes; trie-horizontally* ext'endfngj channel `benin` 3l. It is car- Vrled forhorizontal' 1sliding movement by way of parirsof'brackets'f. E'he latter are; secured to, l

and project outvvardlyfrom.v plates-*531 which are.

'gg longitudinally' adjustable extension 59. rIhe 9,v and' the plate thushol'd'sl the lever in.

latter projects into the housing 50 for the switch Q8 and is aligned with the roller '5`3ljat the upper end 0f the controlv lever4 11. Whenthe slide bar 4511s" shifted or' moved' forwards,` i that `is,j in the direction. of the swltclfi the extension 59 enf gages :the roller v53 and shifts-the lever v5I into itss'wltcl'l opening'pusltlon. The' slide rod I! ls automatically shifted into'fits Yswitch opening position '-in'response toetherf'upward or downward; rvdisplacerne)net*of *thev taheLup sprocket wheels 22;'23'` and 24," by means of lower cam type cones`r egjlnverted cam typeI conesv 6 I' andpins 82.

The loweiconesj lli)y have'internally lthreadfzd Boresand arev mountedon the upper externally threaded ends of the rods136 'at a point beneath the'slldebarlll. Lock nuts 63 are applied rto the lower cones lill andi serve` to lock the latter in placaV The-upper cones 6l are disposed above the lower cones and have internally threaded bores; They are mounted ontheupperextremitiesofithe` rods A3B and are locked'v in place by kmeans of loclg nuts 64; VThe pins S2 project at right angles to' the 'slide bar-49' and are clamped `to the latter by bracketsjein suchmanner that theymay--beadjusted lengthwise of the slide rod. When the slide'fod' is ln its retractedposition the pins 62 engage the'rodsfSG midway between' the cones 68 andVl El. In the event that thetake-up sprocket'wheels 22,*23 and 124 -moveupwards' for Aengagement with the pins Bland so cam the :pins as to/elect orwarfdshiftor sliding ofthe bar W and resultant opening ofthe-"switch 48. Forward.' shifting of the slldeloar` 48 takes place in k'the event that-oneerall Soi the sprocket wheels 22,- 23- and 24 are vertically displaced. Due. to tlie. fact that theeones 6B and 8l" have internally .threaded bars theyA may-be *adjusted vertically-on the upper ends of. the rods 36 in .order properly to position them with respect to the pins 62. Should therebeanyi increase inthe length of.' thechain. due toi wear with resultant displacement of the conesv with respect to the pins El the cones may be adjusted into proper position: hyreleas-ingvthelock nuts 83 and N and I' turning-'the cones until they are' in proper stradailing-relation with the The cones 60 and Il; the pms 62, and the slide bar-49 constitute simple means forautomatically'. opening the switch 14n in the event'o pronoin'iced vertical displacement' of the takefup sprocket Wheelsin, 23 andd in either direction. The upper ends of therods 38' extend through husnings-S on the .centralpartions of the pla-tes i8. n: Dovmwar'ddisc ofthe take-up sprocket wheels 22; 23 Bindi Mis. limited or, restricted by way of' the lock nuts; 63 fori the lows/scories 61h. Should the chain I5 breakthe sprocket wheels movedownwards untill. the lock mits 53 strike against the upper ends of the bushings (i9.l During such movement of* the sprocket wheels? 2'2, 23 and M-tlre upper cones- M' effect' forwardshif-t-'of the'sl'ide bar 49 and opening of the switch 43,* as' hereinbefore pointed ouml The switch (Seis thesameindevsgn and constructio'tr as* the switch Wi It: lis

-msonntyed on same wall: l asthe switch 48 and is disposedslightly. aboveand outwardsof-On, end of the beaml Sie... A cover-equipped housing 50a. surrounds the switch .482. The latter emchains running off of Vthemv immediate. an'dfauto.- matic stoppage of theA conveyer is' eiected. Should anyof the` hereinbeforeem'entioned con` tingencies .arise the smokehouse after' servicing orjrepairof the operating vparts.'thereof is put back into its operating position by. manually refy tracting the slide bars 49 and 49a and. resetting'the switches 48 .and 48a. After themeat' products.

havefbeen processed or conditioned: within 4the smokefchamber I they are .removed from the upper ends of the rods -3Ia together with laterally extending pins 6221 on the slide bar 49a serve automatically to shiftfthe bar into its switch opening position in response to vertical .displacement of any or all of thetake-up'sprocketwheels 22a, 23a and 24a. The cones 66@ and (ilar are vertically adjustable on theupperends'cf the rods 38a` in the same manner as the cones 60 and 6Iv arevertically adjustable on the vupper ends of the rods 36 .and are locked in place by means of lock Anuts If2L and 54e, k'I'l-ie pins (i2a are adjustably clampedtothe s lide bar 4 9eby`jway of brackets 65a.A The cones Sila and El?,y the pins '62a and the v slide bar49e constitute simple means for automatically effecting opening of the switch 48a inthe event thatthere is vertical displacement of any or all of the take-up sprocket wheels 22223@ and'24a. The switches 48.andl48a are normally vin their closed 'position'and are adapted Vin fthe event of opening, due to forward sliding movement ofthe slide bars 49 and 4Sa as a result of vertical displacement of any of `the' take-up sprocket wheels, to be manually reset'or'closed.

vvWhen A.itis.desiredto use or operate the smokehouse a smoke producing fire isfbuilt Ain the compartment I4. Thereafter the' main switch,4`I in the conductor. 46'isc1osed'. This `results inthe supply .of currentitolthe electric motor 39and resultant slowand continuousdrive ofthe chains ,I5' and IEeof 4the endless conveyor I I.. During drive of the conveyor the meat prod,- ucts tobe conditioned orsmoked are hung on the crossbars ,I6 as thelatter'pass thedoorway b3. yThe products while suspended from the crossbars and during drive of the'conveyor move slowlyv up and down in the. smoke chamber III and are subjected .tol conditioning 'and smoking asa result of contact with the vsmoke which is producedby the nre in thefcompartment14. In the event that .one of the food products should fall' and. become' lodged'between 'the-chain I5 and the takefup sprocket wheel 23, as shown in Figure 6, such sprocket wheel iscaused vto move upwards.. During. upward movement of the crossbars of theendless cor'iveyor.` Should either' of .the chains break or in the eventeitherfof .the

chains should run off any 'ofthe' sprocketwheels' thereforthe control` mechanism will,` as herein! before pointed out, aut. matica1l'y render theA power mechanism I2 'inoperative sprocket wheel 23 the lowervcone BIJ which is associated therewith strikes againstthe adjacent pin B2 on theslide bar 45 andurges' thebar outwards to such an extent as .to effect opening of the switch 48. As soon as this'switch is opened the supply of current to `the"motor '39 is cut off and immediate stoppageof the endless conveyor is effected.l vShould anyof the other take-up sprocket wheels movejupwards for any'rjeason YFigure 6`, `such sprocket wheel slides downwards and automatic opening of the switch 48`is`eiTected due .to the action ofthe upper. cone, 5I .which is associatedwith the sprocket wheel 22.

Likewise shouldany'of the'other take-up sprocket wheels f move downwards duelto breakage 'of the. chain'I JEigureSlOV and 1,1 of the 'drawings illustratey o i" disclose'a. different' or modiedpformof 'switch controlling mechanism. lSubir,mechanism come' prises a switch l48 oorrespondirigtothefswitch 4 3. It alsocpmprises @horizontally xtendingl' editen 'aetuatinfg harias.; 'me viet'teiieilike ej bar 49 exceptfthatit is supported byupstanding U-shaped pivot links `I5 'I'.. "The` lower; endsfof the. pivot links, are pivotally' connected to b'r'acki ets 51a on ..tne subi acent11 beam or' supporting elementg'and the uppergends of the linksfare provided: with transversely extending. p ivotbolts |62. Ihese bolts extend through'iholes 'in the bar |49 andsupport rollersjl?. f'helatter'ner mally rest upon the rods which ..are' associated withgand project upwardly fijothe take-up sprocket k wheels andv are positioned lbetween'thi- Acam 'shaped cones on such rods. T helinks'carry the bar; UIBv jso 'that `it is sliiftz'ible*horizontally When vthe k rollers are engaged vbyfthe cones due to vertieei displacement" er .the take-up sprockets the bar 149y shifted in-fthe direction -of .the

switchl'a's' and y operates toppen-the latter. The

Switching and the bar f ma are asseciated'with one of thefchains of the' conv eyor and alike conveyor chaini It is to be understood'that theinvention is vnotv to be restricted to the detailss'et forth since these switch nand `barare associated with the 'maybe modied within the scope of theeppen'ded claims without departing Efroml the spirit 'and scope oftheinvention.` 1- i "claim as new and desire to' secure by Letters the combinationoi means forming ka vsmoke chamber; means associatedwiththe chamber :for

`producing smoke therein,fa eon'veyor disposed in said chamberand embodying av 'drive` sprocket wheel, a'bodily movable takefup sprocketwheel and an endless kchain .trainedaround the two sprocket wheels and havingm'eans for supporting the.products to be smoked, power'` mechanism connected to. thefdrive sprocket wheel and adapt- )edk 'tov drive the;Y conveyor, and means vforlautomatically rendering the gpower'mechanism inoperative in the eventof p t' y of the take-up sprocket wheel.. .1. l

2. In a smokehouse of the'ch'aracter described, I zhehcombinationof means.. forming'r -a vsmoke chamber, means associated with 'the chamberfor producing smoke therein, a conveyor disposedlin said chamber and embodying; drive "sprocket wheels at the top of the chamber, verticallylnovlable sprocket `wheels atthebottom lof" the 'charnterr and an .endless .Chainuained around .the

drive take-up wheels in .suc'h `manreaches which are associated therewith, or the;`

6 27,826; nertnat ithasverticai reaches vand nai/ingmeans for carrying the'products 4to be' smoked, PowerY mechanism connected tol the drive sprocket able take-up sprocket'wheels at the bottomp'o'f said 'chambe-r"'and an endless chain trained aroundv the drive and `take-*up .sprocketj'wheelsin such nmanner t'lri'atv kit `has vertical .reaches 4fand I vhaving meansj` for carrying vthe 'products to be e smoked, f power mechanism "for driving "the con- `veyor 'including an electric motorivlitha switch equipped-,Circuit therefor, andrme'ans :for vauto- :natica'lly opening theswi'tch :in the :event orina-V trialvertical displacement of any one of the talkefup sprocketvvhels. i

` 4.' AfA` smokehose comprising in 'ccombinatinL means forming a vertically elongated ysmke chamber witha me compartment atgtneibottom thereof, a conveyor` disposed inms'uch c chamber abov'efcthefcompartment and consisting of two i opposed` laterally spaced sets Aof sprocket AWheels in 'thejiorm 'ofk drive :sprocket yvhe'ls at 'the .top and've'rtically movable take-up sprocket wheels .at the bottom, a ,pair o'f 'endl'essfchains' trained rouhd'thelsets o'isprocket wheels lrespectively so fthat .they havel (a, plurality of `vertcalh(- exe` tending reaches, 'f and a .series .of .,crossbarslbeltween .the chains fior ysupporting the products Ato be smoked, power mechanism Y connected; 'to

the Ydrive sprocket Wheels lvand adapted ato l d-rive the conveyor, .andmeans for vautom"aticaliv rendering the v.power mechanism inoperative "in th'e ,event of material vertical displacement oii'iy lone .ofthertake-.up sprooketwheels.

,t 15.-A smokehouse comprisin'gin '.combination,

means `forming ,a .smoke chamber,- -means :assof iciated ,with the chamber .for-producing .smoke ftherein, a conveyor `V disposed .in saidchamber and consisting yof ytvvo@opposed laterally spaced sets ,of sprocket WheelsfinY the "form of y(drive sprocket Wheels at thet'op and vrticallymovc able takeup sprocketwheels. at-.the bottom, a

lpair ,'o'f endless chains trained. around the 'sets offsprocke't, Whee'lscrespectively so that'they have v Qa plurality .o'f verticallyextending `-reachea.and 2 .a series oicrossbars b'etweenethe jchainsiforsupporting' the products to` be` smoked, iriower "mechanism for driving 'the L conveyor "comprising an felectr'ic motor disposedA ,eXteri'orly of. the smoke compartinent and 'having a circuitQther-efor with switch means and speed reducing V gearing "be- 'tween fthe motor and "the Y"drivesproclizet ivvheels, and 'means l positioned 'for the. most ,part in the chamberior automatically controlling theswitch the take-up sprocketwheels "is'ldispla'cedvert'icanyeto any material extent.l

ji'; 'In'combinationvv'ithasmokehousefembodyingmeans iormin'gja smoke "chamber,' means fassociated withfjthej'chaniberffor produc'ing smoke f "therein, e; conveyor fdisposedfinsaid chamber and embodying a fdrive sprocket min-ce1 ,at the topga vertically movableitakeiup spro'cket'vvheelatithe tettoia and :an endlessjrcnam trained f aroundtne "two sprocket Wheelsard'l'iaving meansfor Icarsie rying the products lto bek smoked, and- :power mechanism lfor fdriving the-*conveyor :including an Yelectricmotor with a 'switch equipped circuit therefor, means 1 for automatically vopening the4 switch in theevent of vertical displacement of thetake-up sprocket wheel comprising a'movably mounted element arranged to openthe `switch when moved 'in one direction :arida :coacting ele`- ment associated and Abodily'movable withthe takeup' sprocket wheel andarrangee to' shift the element-in -said one direction fin response to vertical movementof saidtake-upfsprocket wheel.

7, `In 'combination with a smokehouse -ernbodying means forming a smoke chamber, means associated With'thech'arnber `for producingsmoke therein; la conveyor' disposed in -saidfchamber andembodying 4va drive sprocketfwheel at the top, a-verti'cally movable take-up sprocket Vvvheel vat the bottom, vandan endless chainftrained aroundv -thc two sprocket. Wheels and lhaving means Lfor Ycarrying the products to y'be smoked; and power 'mechanism for driving the conveyor including '-an --electric motor with" a; switch equipped "circuit therefor, 'means lfor 'automatically 'renderingjthe power Ymechanisminoperative "in the ,i event o'fvertical `displacementof the take-upjsprocket *wheel comprisinga movably mounted element arrangedfto open` the switch when` shifted in Y'one Adirection 'andvv 'a coacting 'cam typeV element associated 'and bodily movable Withthe take-up sprocket wheel and arranged to movethe irst mentioned `element in said `one direction in Aresponse lto vertical'moveme'nt for displacement yof said take-upfsprocketwheel;

5.8. 'In combinationwith'fa vsmokehouse embodying. means `forming a .smoke chamber, means associated LWitijiy the Achamber "f or producing smoke thereim a convey ordisposed insaidl chamberand embodying a drive lsprocket'vvh'eel at the top, a vertically mm/'able take-,up 'spro ckctf, `Wheel at the bottomand anY endless chain trained 'around' the two sprocket Wheels andhaving means :forearrying Jthe"products to be smoked, vvand `power me `zi`ranismv for driving thev conveyor fincluding an 'electric `motor With `a JsWitch equipped .circuit therefor, 'means vfor automatically rendering the ,povver `i'ne'chanism :inoperative in 'the nevent of vertical displacement 'of the take=up `sprocket ,Whe'elcomprising .'amovab'ly Vmounted bar provided with a laterally ,extending member Vand gadaptedwhed'moveiln one direction kto open Tthe iswitch, 5and, a pair o'i :opposed 'vertically spaced :cam type elements 'associated andmovablel vertically with the "take-up `sprocket Wheel and arranged vins'traddl'ed 'relation with the mem- "ber and so that 'one `engages .the member Yand moves'thebarin said one directioniin vresponse to downward'displacementof'theitake-up sprocket'wheelandthe other en'gages'the member and ,moves 'thejbarin said one directionin 'response ltd'upward displacement "of .said take-up sprocket wheel.

In combination with a ysmokehouse vembodying means 'fforming "af smoke chamber, Vmeans associatediwith the chamberfor producing smoke therein, va conveyor :disposed `vin said chamber comprising a top ldrive sprocketwheel, a vertical- -ly movable 4bottom' take-up "sprocket Wheel lwith avertically lextending rod associated -and movable therewith, ,andan endless chain trained around thetwo sprocketjwheels and 'having means for carrying the .products tobe'smoked, and power 'mechanism for driving fthe conveyor `including an el'ectricmotor with a vsvvitch[equipped circuit '7,5 therefor and Lspeedreducing 'gearing `between the motor and the drive sprocket wheel, means for automatically rendering the drive means in# operative inthe event of vertical displacement of the take-up sprocket wheel comprising a mov-v ably mounted bar provided with a laterally' eX- tending member adjacent said rod and adapted when shifted in one direction t open the switch, and a pair of opposed cam type cones mounted one above the other and adjustably on the rod and arranged so that when the take-up sprocket wheel moves down one engages the member and shifts the bar in said one direction and when the take-up sprocket wheel moves upwards the other engages the member and shifts the bar in said one direction.

10. In combination with a smokehouse embodying means forming a smoke chamber, means associated with the chamber for producing smoke therein, a conveyor disposed in said chamber and comprising two sets of opposed laterally spaced wheels and vertically movable take-up sprocket wheels,'and ar pair of endless chains trained around the two sets of sprocket wheels respecl between'the motor and the drive sprocket wheels,

of means for automatically opening one of the switches in the event of.verticalwdisplacement .of any one of the take-up sprocket wheels. of

one of the sets, and means for .l automatically opening the other switch in theA event offdis-` placement of any oneof the'take-up sprocket Wheels of the otherset. l

NORMAN JgjArLBRrGHT. p

sprocket wheels in thejform of drive sprocket 

